LIBRARY OF CONGRESS. 



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^l\Glf.:..riS 



UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. 




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LAURA M. FORD 




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Copyrighted— I^AURA M. Ford, 1895 



PlTIU-lSUEn BY 

Zhc Ibatbawa^ ipress 

Philadelphia, Pa. 
1895 



HEART THROBS. 



DEDICATED TO 

ONE WHO IS EVER MY MOST 

BELOVED FRIEND. 



HEART THROBS. 



CONTENTS. 

PAGE 

Love's Valentine 5 

Assurance 6 

Love's Rebuke 8 

The Sad Heart 9 

Yearning 10 

Doubt 12 

Dost Thou Love Me 15 

A Love Message 16 

How I Love Thee 17 

Heart's Desire 18 

Sweet Violets 19 

Love's Offering 20 

A Love Balloon 21 

Drifting Apart 23 

A Query 24 

1 Thought That Love Was Done 26 

Revival 27 

Sometime 28 

Soon We Shall Meet 29 

When We Meet 31 

How Shall We Meet 32 

Meeting 33 

Coming 33 

I'm Waiting For Thee 34 

Together 35 

Good-night 36 

Dost Thou Regret 37 

Good-bye 38 

Without Solace 39 

My Love is Far Away 40 

Parted 41 



PAGK 

Farewell 42 

Alone 43 

Heart's Sorrow . . 44 

Memory .... 46 

Tired 47 

Hopeless 49 

Lost Love 50 

Longing and Regret 52 

Hope 53 

The Spirit's Voice 54 

No Love So Fond 55 

To The Absent One 56 

I Have Loved • • 57 

A Sunbeam 58 

Life's River 59 

An Amulet 60 

How Will It Be 61 

To A Friend 63 

True Friendship 65 

To J. C. H. . 67 

Sympathy 68 

Without Sorrow 70 

What Is The Use 71 

The Spirit's Yearning 74 

Commendation 75 

The IVleloncholy Poet 77 

A Fallen Star 78 

Lost Faith 79 

The Mystical Star 80 

To "Arthur" 81 

True Love 82 

Wedded 83 

Love's Christmas Greeting 84 

Birdie 85 

To A Stranger 85 

To My Typewriter 86 

Adonis 87 

A Thermometer 88 

Wedded (On an Engraving) 88 

To An Infant .... 89 

An Apology 90 



HEART THROBS. 



LOVE'S VALENTINE. 



A Valentine, darling, today I would send thee, 

Something to silentl}' speak of my love ; 
Something to cheer thee, to gladden, to bless thee, 

Sometliing my heart's fond devotion to prove. 
What shall it be, dear ? Some sweet loving token 

Wrought by my fingers in solitude drear? 
Some sweet, quaint de\'ice which lo\"e onl)- could fashion. 

Something which ever thine lieart would hold tlear? 

I might send thee some volume of love and of passion. 

With pages so glowing they never could tire ; 
A book to awaken anew in thy bosom 

The force and the power of love's sacred fire. 
I might choose fragrant blossoms of sweetness and beaut}- — 

Emblems of constancy, bright as the day ; 
But their sweetness so tender would whisper of sorrow , 

For they, like lo\'e's joys, would soon fade and decaw 

Could 1 but pour forth with all eloquence glowing, 

The thoughts deep and tender which in my soul burn, 
Tho' no other token of love I should send thee, 

My heart's deep emotion thou couldst then but learn. 
But language is impotent ! Vain all endeavor ; 

Like my tears and my prayers, all words fail to bless ; 
So the sweetest of valentines that I could send thee. 

My heart's deep devotion ne'er could express. 



HEART THROBS. 



\'ct one loving message at least, I will send thee 

On Valentine's Day, so thou canst not forget 
That this heart still is beating with love true and tender, 

As in the dear days which I now must regret. 
I love thee, ni)- darling ! Bend low, love, and listen 

To words which I whisper again and again ; 
My darling, I love thee ! I want thee ! I need thee ! 

1 love thee! My heart ever sings the refrain. 



ASSURANCE. 

What dark doubts and fears no^\■ dail\- beset me — 

What sorrow my spirit doth claim ! 
Oh. fain would I feel that thou dost not forget me, 

And know that thy love is the same. 
l'"or da}-s are so drear}- since now thou art gone, 

Thy silence, tho' brief, is as years ; 
As the dull da)-s and weeks drag vvearilv on. 

Each sad hour is freighted with tears. 



HEART THROBS. 



While sometimes thou sayest that still thou dost lo\'c me, 

Thy tenderest message seems cold : 
M)' yearnings, my pleadings, seem never to nio\e thee, 

Tho' fervent my heart's love is told. 
And often I long for some message of cheer, 

Some tender and comforting word. 
To soothe and sustain me through da\'s dark and drear, 

When faith fails ni)' spirit to gird. 



1 prav thee, m\- darling, it still thou dcxst lo\e me, 

Oh say it in tenderest phrase ! 
And let thy soft speeches so gently reprove me, 

That doubt ne'er shall darken my days. 
For faith soon must languish with nought for its bread 

Sa\-e memoiy's \ision of food ; 
My heart cannot li\e, dear, on joys that are dead, 

Each da\- needs assurance renewed. 



HEART THROBS. 



LOVE'S REBUKE. 



Beloved, how canst thou doubt me ? 

Doth this heart throb once \\\\\\ joy or e'en with 
pleasure, save because of thee? 

Can I gaze upon one fair gift of nature, the briglit 
blue sky, the starlit heavens, the soft splendor of the 
radiant moon, or e'en upon one beauteous little flower, 
that all my thoughts do not softly turn to thee? 

Doth sorrow pale my cheek, a tear bedim mine eye, 
that all my soul yearns not for the sweet solace of thy 
\oice, the tender touch of thine hand? 

Doth one hour pass wherein I yearn not for thy ]o\- 
ing presence? 

Doth life hold aught of weal or woe for mc, that 
thou couldst not turn the tide of each ? 

Could I smile, and one frown of thine not make me 
weep ? 

Could I weep, and thou not ha\e the power to make 
me glad? 

Doth one heart smile upon mc, when straightway 
comes not the image of thy face, the memory of thy 
love? 

Are not all other ties most weak and vain to this 
most sacred bond, this holy tie which binds us close 
forever ? 

And yet — thou doubtest me ! 

But nay ! I will not think it thus ! 'Tis but that thou 
art eager for some fond assurance, which perchance, hath 
been withheld too long, and so beloved, hear me while I 
speak. 



HEART THROBS. 



What though ni\- h'ps bring forth no audible sound? 
Is not my voice — the \'oice of love, as clear antl \ibrant 
as all resounding bells? 

Thus my soul doth whisper now as ever, in love's 
own language elocpient : 

Beloved, I love thee ! Thou art m\- jo\-, m\' life, 
mine all ! 

None other can encompass thee! None can sur- 
n^ount thee ! Thou art ni)^ radiant star, ni)- sun, and \\\\ 
existence. Without thee I am as nought. 

And this is love. 



of C)^ 



THE SAD HEART. 

Could I conceal my heart's emotions — 

All thought of care, each grief, each woe. 
And ever greet thee smiling, cheerful, 

I should be dearer to thee, love, I know. 
For happy hearts must shrink from sorrow, 

Souls unshadowed flee from care : 
Instinctive the untrammelled spirit 

Loves all things happy, bright and fair. 



HEART THROBS. 



I would that thou couldst think me happy. 

That I could cease to cloud thy way : 
But I cannot smile with gladness, 

When life grows darker c\-er\' day. 
Strange that thy love can still be glowing, 

Yet shed no lustre o'er m\' sky! 
And yet, dear heart, thcni oft' dost wonder 

Why I weep, and yearn and sigh. 

Dear lo\e, do not despise ni)- sorrow. 

The heart grows sweeter thro' its tears ; 
' Tis loving thee, ah, but too fondly. 

That thus hath darkened all my years. 
If thou wouldst have me smile with pleasure, 

With eyes aglow and cheeks aflame, 
Sustain me with thy love's expression, 

Not b\' its seeming cmpt\' name. 



YEARNING. 

When 1 lie within m\- coffin pale and cold. 

You will stoop and softl}' kiss \\\\ pallid brow, 
And murmur tender words I cannot hear — 

Dear words ni}- weaiy lieart is craving now. 
You will lay your soft, warm lips upon my own, 

When response from them you ne'er shall feel again ; 
And tears shall fall perhaps upon my face, 

And your heart be filled with strange and bitter pain. 



HEART THROBS. 



But when such an hour shall come, my own dear love, 

\\\i\ m\' form shall be but dumb and senseless clay, 
^'ou^ tenderness will be of no avail, 

When my spirit dwells in realms far away. 
You will think of tender words you mi^ht have said, 

Ere the life-blood had faded from my cheek ; 
Antl within \our heart shall dwell a deep regret. 

For all the lo\ing words \-ou did not speak. 

Ah, then heed me while I plead, O \w\ darling, 

I-^^r a portion of the tenderness and love, 
You will pour out o'er my cold and silent form. 

When my soul shall soar in realms far above. 
Do not lea\'e me thus to yearn, sad and lonely, 

For the love which is deep hid w ithin \-our heart ; 
1)(^ not deny its soothing power, darling. 

Till the hour wlien forever we must part. 

Open wide the door of your heart warm and true. 

And pour forth the wealth of its deep, hidden store; 
Let me know the joy which now \-ou deny 

To my \'earning heart, sorrowful and sore. 
Vox oh, when the last day at length shall approacli. 

And the bitter, sad farewell has been said. 
Your heart will be filled with pain and regret, 

If you hold back your love till 1 am dead. 



HEART THROBS. 



DOUBT. 



When I seem to doubt you, dearest — 

Doubt your love and tenderness, 
How reproachful are your glances, 

As my hand you softly press. 
With those eyes so kind and tender, 

Touch so gentle, soft and fond. 
Then 'tis eas)' not to doubt }'ou, 

Or that lo\e doth full resj)ond. 

When I sa\-, "You do not lo\e me!" 

Then I see you softly smile 
As if doubting all my meaning, 

Gix'ing soft caress the while. 
When I see each loving token 

Of }'Our kind and thoughtful care, 
flow I chide my heart for doubting 

That to )'ou I still am dear. 

When 1 sa\-, "O tlo }-ou lo\e me ?" 

Ne\-er have you answered "nay," 
And }'ou think 1 should not doubt }-ou, 

As I seem to, love, toda\-. 
Ikit, apart, this heart exacting 

Wildly crie.s, "O is it true! 
Do )'ou love me, O ni)- darling — 

Love me, as this heart loves )ou?' 



HEART THROBS. 13 



And the echo back repeathi<;-, 

P^alls upon my heart with fear ; 
For I know )'our kind affection — 

]^e it e'er so fond and dear, 
Knows not all this heart's deep 'fervor, 

All its passion, jo)- and pain ; 
All the bliss, the fears, the rapture. 

All the longint^s deep and \ain. 

And I ask ni\-self the question 

Which I oft' have asked before — ■ 
Where the })roof of your devotion ? 

Where is hid the tender store? 
In those e}'es so calmly tender 

Which on others thus ma}- smile? 
In that hand-clasp soft, magnetic, 

WHiich some other ma}' beguile? 

And the anguish of ni)' doubting 

Rends my heart with wild despair ; 
What know you of lo\e and longing ! 

What know you of sigh and tear ! 
Your ci\\w\ heart hath known no rapture 

In lo\e's sweet seductive dream ! 
VourXxi^ ne'er hath known the glor)- 
Of lo\-e's ecstacy supreme ! 



14 



HEART THROBS. 



Ah. smile not with glance so tender ! 

Do not mock me with your kiss ! 
Leave me, ere 1 feel your presence 

Lure mc once again to bliss ! 
Leave me ! For I feel your power 

Swaying all ni)' soul again ; 
Doubt must vanish in your presence, 

As the sun absorbs the rain. 

Hold not forth those arms so tempting ! 

Coldly turn aside and go ; 
Tell me ! Say \'ou do not love me — 

That ni}' heart the truth ma}- know. 
What ! you hesitate and tremble ? 

Eyes reproachful as of }'ore ? 
Ah, those arms again enfold me ! — 

1 forget my doubts once more ! 




HEART THROES. 15 



DOST THOU LOVE ME. 

( ) beloved ! Dost thou love me ? 

Fell me ! Say the sweet words o'er! 
Quell these doubts which now beset me, 

And I ne'er shall doubt thee more. 
Soft repeat love's vc^ws so tender, 

Which thou oft' hast si)oke before ; 
Tell me, darlin<^, dost thou lo\'e me ? — 

Ah, I ne'er sliall doubt thee more ! 

() my loxed one ! Dost thou love me? 

Still my doubtini^ heart doth cr\- ! 
Darkest fears cast down m\' spirit, 

For my darlinj^ is not ni<;h. 
Wert thou near to still mv yearnin;^, 

Couldst thou answer to my call. 
Could I feel that thou dost love me. 

What peace upon m\- soul would fall ! 

O m\- tlarlino ! Quickh- answer ! 

Dost thou lo\-e me — lo\e me still ? 
Pour forth all thy heart's de\otion. 

Let my spirit drink its fill ! 
Dost thou lo\e me fondl\-, dearl\- ? 

Repeat love's vows, all, o'er and o'er! 
Tell me truly thou dost lo\'e me. 

And I ne'er shall doubt thee more. 



1 6 HEART THROBS. 



A LOVE MESSAGE. 

When thy arms and lips caress me, 
And thy loving eyes I see, 

All my heart is filled with gladness, 
And I love thee trustingly. 

lUit when time and space divide us, 
Then dark fears my soul beset ; 

With despair ni}- heart is laden. 

And my e)-es with tears are wet. 

Now I sit alone in sorrow, 

Yearning for thy presence dear, 
And tonight, had I the po\\er, 

I would draw thy spirit near. 

'Tis the silent hour of midniglit : 

Tender thoughts now fly to thee 

\Vith the power of m\' spirit, 

I would draw tin- soul to me. 

M)- empt}- arms are wide outstretched 
And I softl)' call thy name ; 

How I long, dear lo\e, to see thee, 
Thy dear \oice to hear again. 

Ah, I see thee where thou liest 

In sweet slumber calm and deep ; 

My spirit hovers o'er thy bed — 

Canst thou see me in thy sleep ? 



HEART THROBS. 17 



Ma\- joyous dreams, sweet, brij^ht and fair, 
Softly o'er thy vision steal ; 

And all the lovini; words I breathe. 
May th)- slumb'ring spirit feel. 

Hea\en bless thee while thou sleepest ! 

In the mornini^, all thy days; 
Ant^els guard thee with their power. 

As ni}- love would i^uard — al\va\-s ! 

Good night, darling ! Ere I leave tliee. 
Now to close my eyes in rest. 

How I sigh in deepest yearning, 
Vox the pillow of thy breast. 

HOW I LOVE THEE. 

Ah, to tell with what measure 

I love thee. m\- heart's dearest treasure, 

I n'er could attain. 
As the sun by the earth 
Is beloved, without which the birth 

Of all beauty were vain. 
So upon thee I feed, 
Thy presence I need. 

Without thee I wither and die. 
Then do not forsake me. 
To thy heart fondly take me, 

( )nce more renew loves holy tie. 



1 8 HEART THROBS. 



HEARTS DESIRE. 

Though ni)' brow were crowned with garlands, 
And my breast were decked with gems 

Of beauty most radiant and rare ; 
Though the world should sing th)- praises, 
And should bring its diadems. 

And cast them at my feet, bright and fair — 
All the wealth the world could give me 
Would be but as whithered leaves. 

If thy love lightened not every care. 

Ah, I seek not fame or glory, 
These have ne'er a charm for me; 

While nature sheds her fragrance around, 
All I cra\"e to make me happy 
Is but constant love from thee, 

With our lives together e\'er boinul. 
For thee now my heart is yearning ! 
Couldst thou bless me, love, toda)'. 

Sweetest peace, deep and true, should be foiuul. 




HEART THROBS. 19 



SWEET VIOLETS. 



Sweet violets ! Violets purple and blue, 
Emblems of constant lo\'e, tender and true, 
I'll kiss you and send x^ou to one loved so w ell : 
What thoughts \-ou awaken I leave you to tell. 
Your bright hue may fade and your beaut}' deca)-, 
Ikit your sweetness will linger when no longer ga}- ; 
Thus \w\ lo\e, like \-our fragrance, shall li\c on for a\-e, 
Tho' the form now so cherished ma\- wither and die. 

Youth's fire now so glowing. ma\' smoulder with \ears 
Of trial and sorrow, wain yearning anci tears, 
15ut whate\'er changes upon m)- heart cast, 
Its sweet bmclen of lo\e forexer must last. 
Like \'ou, \iolets sweet, recognizee! is )'our name 
Howe'er changed be your form — you still are the same 
I'or \()ur sweetness will linger, \-es, change as \-ou will, 
And ni)' dear one will lo\'e you and cherish \-ou still. 

l''ade, fade as \-ou must, }'Ou still shall be fair, 
So go to my darling love's message to bear : 
That, as time pa.sses on, each \'ear only shall pro\e 
The constancN' deep of this heart's ferx-ent lo\'e. 
Sweet violets! Violets, I love \-our name, 
I'\)r )Ou, like true loxe, are e\er the same : 
Sweet and enduring, tender and true. 
So go to my darling, lox'e's bidding to do. 



HEART THROBS. 



LOVE'S OFFERING. 

Fair, fragant violets ! 

1 send you to my dear one, far aw ay ; 
May your tender beauty speak my Jove, 

And breathe it all the day. 
When your lovdiness she views, 

Perchance your petals soft she'll kiss, 
And murmur tender words of love — 

Words my yearning heart doth miss ! 

Ah, blessed \-iolets ! 

I en\'y you my darling's sweet caress ! 
Oh may her dear lips touch the spot 

Upon which niy lips I press. 
Speed you to my dear one, now. 

And if your beauty be decayed, 
Still bear ni)- heart's love to my own — 

Love so true, which cannot fade ! 




HEART THROBS. 



A LOVE BALLOON. 



I would freight thee with blossoms sweet and fair, 

To cheer my darling's hours, 
That she might read my true heart's love 

In the fairest of all flowers. 
But their loveliness would fade 

Ere their beauty she could view, 
And as my love can never die, 

This burden will not do ! 

I would freight thee with jewels rich and rare. 

So that their dazzling light 
Should of my love an emblem be — 

Changeless, ever pure and bright; 
But like all my love's desires, 

Vain and hopeless, vanquished soon, 
I cannot send the glittering gems 

In this little love balloon. 

I would freight thee with kisses soft and warm, 

Could she but feel their power. 
And in thy empty basket find 

The heart's most precious dower : 
Love so tender, deep and fond, 

Yearning, faithful — O so true ! 
And ever present with my dear. 

Though absent to her view. 



HEART THROBS. 



I would freight thee myself, thou basket small, 

Could such a blessing be. 
Could longing bear us swift through space — 

Little love balloon and me ! 
But thy dainty form so frail. 

Quite sadly now I fear, 
Could scarce my loving spirit hold, 

And bear it to my dear ! 

So I freight thee with blessings rich and fond, 

Thou emblem of desire ; 
My love and longing mute will speak. 

When thee she doth admire. 
Be my spirit's voice of love. 

And greet my darling soon ; 
Swiftly speed through dreary space. 

Thou little love balloon ! 




HEART THROBS. 23 



DRIFTING APART. 

I feel we are drifting, m}- darling, 
Further and further apart ; 
Some day far and wide 
We will drift with the tide, 
Each secretely sad at heart. 

I feel that the rift grows, beloved, 
Deeper and wider each day ; 
Your love once so fond. 
Seems now loathe to respond, 
Soon you will drift far away. 

Your tenderness seems to be fading. 
Love beams no more in your eye ; 
Such hours once were sweet, 
Though now coldly we meet, 
And for joys of the past I sigh. 




24 HEART THROBS. 



A QUERY. 

I wonder if I love you still ! 

I ask myself tonight 
If all my lov^e, so glowing once, 

At last has taken flight. 
' Tis true that hours have brighter grown 

Which once were filled with gloom, 
And vanished seems the bitter day 

That spoke my spirit's doom ; 
While all the anguish once I knew. 

No longer gnaws my heart : 
Less bitter is the sad decree — 

Our lives must dwell apart. 

I wonder if I love you still ! 

For passion seems to sleep. 
And you, I think, have lost the power 

To make me smile or weep. 
Yes, I could gaze into those eyes 

That thrilled me thro' and thro', 
And know not one emotion now, 

Which kindled once foryou.' 
And scenes that once were fraught with pain, 

I gaze upon unmoved, 
While all life's deepest founts are sealed 

As tho' I ne'er had loved. 



HEART THROBS. 



25 



I wonder if I love you still ! 

And if love's sacred fire, 
So long unnourished and unfed, 

Could spend itself — expire ! 
Or if the flame, now buried deep 

And seeming cold in death. 
Could from the smouldering ashes wake 

To life, with but your breath. 
And when the fateful hour shall come, 

When face to face we stand, 
I wonder if I'll love you still. 

When once I clasp your hand. 




26 HEART THROBS. 



I THOUGHT THAT LOVE WAS DONE. 

I thought that love was done ! 
I bade farewell to joy, and peace and hope ; 

My heart was blank and dumb with pain. 
I knew not how henceforth my soul should grope 

Alone through bitter woe, again 
I surely knew that love was done ! 

I thought that love was o'er! 
I meant to say to joy a last good-bye ; 

My soul was faint with fear and dread. 
For with the year all love and peace should die. 

And woe be mine since love was dead 
Forevermore — yes, love was o'er! 

I thought that love would fly ! 
And forth I stretched my hands to clasp its wings, 

One last farewell to sadly say ; 
Then — ah, I know not pain that parting brings, 

I found that love must with me stay. 
Love will not, cannot from me fly ! 




^=5) 



HEART THROBS. 27 



REVIVAL. 



I did not mean to kiss you when I greeted you today ; 
I only meant to meet you in a careless, pleasant way. 
And though you smiled so kindly as you gently clasped 

my hand, 
'Twas almost easy to forget the yearning heart's demand. 

I did not mean to kiss you when the silence sudden 

grew 
So painful and oppressive, dear, between myself and you. 
But I saw your eyes were beaming with an earnest, 

tender glance, 
And swift I felt the motion of your own heart's sweet 

advance. 

Though I did not mean to kiss you or awake one tender 

thrill. 
Somehow ' twas all forgotten and all banished was my 

will, 
For I felt your arms ejifold me in the old-time fond 

embrace. 
And lingering kisses mingled with the tear-drops on my 

face. 



C^==^=s 



28 HEART THROBS. 



SOMETIME. 



Sometime or other — I know not when, 
You and I shall meet again ; 
Once more with joy and glad surprise, 
I'll gaze into your earnest eyes, 
And read therein your love is true 
And constant still, as mine for )'0u. 

Sometime or other, all else forgot, 
Love's rapture sweet shall be my lot ; 
While close and warm in love's embrace, 
In silence I shall hide my face 
In bliss against your throbbing breast. 
And once again my heart shall rest. 

Sometime or other, come when it may, 
This happy, joyous, blessed day — 
Then all my longing, doubt and grief 
Shall vanish for an instant brief, 
And once again love's brightest ray 
Shall gladden all my darkened way. 

Sometime or other, all longing stilled, 
My soul once more with rapture thrilled. 
With beating heart against your own, 
And all the bliss that we have known 
In other days divinely sweet. 
Must still be ours whene'er we meet. 



HEART THROBS. 29 



Sometime or other, far or near, 
Shall be our blessed meeting, dear, 
And tho' misgivings oft' arise. 
They all must vanish when our ej'es 
Shall tell in language mute but deep. 
Of love unchanging e'er to keep. 



SOON 'WE SHALL MEET. 

Soon we shall meet ! O jo)'Ous hour ! 

My heart beats loud and fast ! 
Love once more shall resume its power. 

When heart meets heart at last ! 
Pain and sorrow all forgot. 

Doubts and fears then all at rest. 
When, soul to soul — O blessed lot ! 

Sweet peace I'll find upon thy breast 

Soon we shall meet ! O joy supreme ! 

My yearning spirit's only goal ! 
Soon love's soft, radiant light shall beam 

Full and bright upon my soul ! 
Anguish, grief and yearning stilled. 

Love once more shall hold its sway ; 
My heart with love's sweet rapture filled. 

All life's darkness turned to day ! 



30 HEART THROBS. 



Soon we shall meet ! Yes, meet once more 

In love and joy I know ! 
Faith shall revive as in days of yore, 

When I hear thy accents low. 
Tho' brief must be the hour of bliss, 

And sorrow soon again must come, 
Haste to my arms with love's sweet kiss, 

And feel my heart's glad welcome home. 

Soon we shall meet ! O haste the day ! 

United once again. 
My soul shall sing a joyful lay, 

And forget its bitter pain ! 
Then haste thee, dear, unto my heart ! 

O blessed joy ! O bliss divine ! 
Let me forget that we must part, 

While once aeain I call thee mine ! 



HEART THROBS. 31 



WHEN WE MEET. 

Oh, when we meet, my darling, 

Shall thy pulses faster beat, 
Shall thy throbbing heart portray 

Love's deep emotion sweet ? 
Or shall the meeting give but pain, 

And shalt thou cold and distant seem? 
But still, perchance, within thine eye 

Love's tender light shall gleam. 
O my darling! Haste ! O haste thee ! 

Remove this doubt and pain ! 
Come, quickly, dear, and let me feel 

Love's rapture once again ! 

When we shall meet, my darling, 

Wilt thou clasp me close and warm ? 
Wilt thou fold me unto thine heart 

This cold and trembling form ? 
Wilt thou kiss these yearning lips 

Till with love's rapture thrilled? 
Wilt thou whisper tender words 

Till my starved soul is filled ? 
O beloved ! Haste ! O haste thee ! 

No longer joy delay ! 
My glowing love impatient calls — 

Come to my arms today ! 



32 HEART THROBS. 



HOW SHALL WE MEET. 

How shall we meet ? 
With throbbing hearts and outstretched arms — 

With trembling forms and tearful eyes ? 
Shall silence reign, as soul meets soul in fond embrace? 
Shalt thou come upon me unawares, and glad sur- 
prise 
Rush o'er my heart, as once again thy loving face I greet? 

Or shall I wait thy coming, trembling, cold. 
With panting breath, impatient sighs and tears. 

As slow the torturous hours go by? 
And when at last I see the shadow of thy form. 

And straightway catch the glisten of thine eye, 
And feel the close, fond clasp of thine hand — 

Shall all my woe, and all the pain of dreaiy days 
be past. 
As soft my cheek upon thine own I press. 

And heart to heart we clasp each other close at 
last? 
And close and closer shall our lips draw near 

Until they meet, impassioned, in love's full and per- 
fect kiss, 
And shall one tender syllable express 

A joy supreme, love's ecstacy of bliss? 



(%'''^..:^^=^^^^^^^^^^::^=^^^^ 



HEART THROBS. 



MEETING. 



Ah, soon again I shall behold thee ! 

Once more these arms shall close enfold thee 

Tremblingly in love's embrace. 
Fondly to my heart I'll press thee, 
And these yearning lips caress thee. 

When once again I see thy face. 



COMING. 

My dear one now is whirling, whirling 

Rapidly towards love and home ; 
Sweet the meeting and the greeting, 

When safely thou at last hast come. 
Tho' wide the distance still divides us, 

Each hour shorter grows the space ; 
And my heart is filled with gladness. 

For I soon shall see thy face. 

My loved one now is coming, coming ! 

Slow the lagging hours drag by; 
Loud my heart is beating, beating. 

Impatiently I wait and sigh. 
Nearer, nearer still, and nearer, 

Shorter doth the distance grow ; 
My darling swift to me is speeding. 

Ah, we soon shall meet, I know ! 



34 HEART THROBS. 



I'M WAITING FOR THEE. 

My darling ! My darling! I'm waiting for thee ! 
Hasten, beloved, O hasten to me ! 
Come as a bird to its love in the nest : 
Come to me. dearest, and I shall be blest ! 
My heart with rapture now is beating ! 
Sweet, O sweet will be the meeting ! 
Come, beloved, come ! 

My dearest! My treasure! I'm waiting for thee ! 
Hasten, O hasten, my darling, to me ! 
Hark! Do I hear thy dear step drawing near? 
Love, art thou coming — soon wilt thou be here? 
Impatient now my heart is beating ! 
I long for love's own tender greeting ! 
Come ! My darling, come ! 




?^ — s^ 



HEART THROBS. 35 



TOGETHER. 



Draw the blinds ; close the door — bar it fast ! 
Together now, thou and I, alone at last ! 
Free from the world, from strife, from care, 
Now once more our hearts shall dare 
Drink deep of love's divinest bliss. 
And soul meet soul in rapture's kiss, 
While all my pain and doubt and fear 
Shall vanish, while I feel thee near ! 

Love, come close ! Nearer still — thou art mine 

Forget — forget all else but love, and joy dix'ine ! 

Reveal thy soul so long now hid, 

Let thy spirit swiftly bid 

All thoughts of other ties depart, 

While close I fold thee to my heart. 

Be all my own, heart, mind and soul, 

O give me all — love's perfect whole ! 




36 HEART THROBS. 



GOOD-NIGHT. 

Good-niijht ! Dear love, crood-nicrht ! 
How many hours have taken flight 
Suice thou and I didst greet ! 
And yet, 'twere but a moment fleet, 
And now we bid good-night ! 

Good-night ! Dear heart, good-night ! 
I know not which be sweeter hght — 
That of thine eyes that meet mine own, 
Or that of yonder golden moon — 
The silent witness of our fond p-ood-night ! 

Good-night! Once more, good-night! 
This parting moment is such sweet delight, - 
Albeit fraught with keenest pain — 
That I could say good-night again, 
Till dawn of morning- light ! 




HEART THROBS. 



37 



DOST THOU REGRET? 

Dost thou remember— or dost thou fortret ? 

Art thou still happy, or dost thou regre't ? 

Love's sweet hour of rapture, ah, xNouldst thou recall. 

Or doth joy like a sunbeam, still linger o'er all ? 

Answer, belov6d ! Look into mine eye, 

And tell in love's language what love would descr>'. 

Still doth thine heart beat with a passion dixinc ? 

Speak ! Answer, my darling, and peace shall be mine ! 




38 



HEART THROBS. 



GOOD-BYE. 



Good-bye, my darling ! Many weary months must pass 

Ere we shall meet again ! 
Life holds for thee paths bright and fair, 

While I must dwell alone in pain. 
But since thou must at last depart, 

Leav^e me, love, and go thy way ; 
Perchance from out this mist of tears, 

Shall dawn a brighter, clearer day. 

Good-bye, beloved ! Mayst thy future ever be 

O'ercast with brightest flowers ! 
But midst thy joys do not forget 

Love's sweet, though transient, happy hours. 
And sometimes think of me, dear heart ! — 

Ah no, thou canst not linger here ! 
And so, dear love, good-b}'e ! good-bye ! 

God bless thee ever ! Good-bye, dear ! 



HEART THROBS. 



WITHOUT SOLACE. 

Dear love, thou bidst me hope, 

With cheerful heart and strong : 
That thus the dreary days 

Shall seem not half so long, 
Ere joy shall come again. 

But ah, beloved, the heart 
Doth need a daily sustenance, 

Just as this frail, weak form 
Must feed each da)-, or else perchance, 

Shall languish weak, in pain. 

How can I live in hope 

Of joy that ne'er ma\- be. 
When eveiy dreaiy hour 

That parts us, thee and me, 
Deprives my heart of food ? 

For oh, beloved, I know not 
How to feast on memory ! 

My spirit lives but in the now, 
And pines with need of thee, 

And seeks no other good. 



39 




40 HEART THROBS. 



MY LOVE IS FAR AWAY. 

My love is far away ! 

Ah, distant now the day 

Ere we shall meet in rapture sweet, 

As fond hearts only may. 

All happiness is past ! 
Love's joys can never last ; 
However bright hours of delight, 
They ever vanish fast ! 

Shouldst thou e'er seem forgot. 
Ah, love, believe it not ! 
Where e'er I be that speaks of thee, 
There 'tis a hallowed spot! 

I never shall forget 

When last we joyous met : 

In bliss divine, I called thee mine, 

My eyes with tears were wet. 

Such happy hours are past ; 
The sweetness could not last. 
And sad I be, yet memory 
Shall ever hold them fast. 



HEART THROBS. 



PARTED. 



41 



Oh what pain 
To know that we have said farewell, 
Ne'er to meet again ! 

Ah, ni}' heart 
Hath bled with woe since the sad hour 
Thou and I didst part ! 

Wet with tears 
Are these poor eyes thou oft' hast kissed- 
I am filled with fears ! 

Thou wilt forcret 
Past happ)- hours ; soon will parting- 
Bring thee no regret ! 

I despond 
Of joy again ! Yet still m\- heart 
\\'ill be true and fond. 

Grief and pain 
xMust be m>- lot ! I ne'er shall see 
My dear love again ! 

Parted wide 
Are the fond hearts, tender and true. 
Once so closely tied ! 

Vain I cr\- 
For love's sweet jo)-s, and happy days 
Which have now gone b\- ! 



42 HEART THROBS. 



Just one hour 
Dear love, return ! That I may still 
Feel thy loving power ! 

Ah, alack ! 
My cry is vain ! Thou art not nigh ! 
Thou wilt ne'er come back ! 



FAREWELL. 

leave me if thou wilt, beloved, leave ! 

1 must forever for thy presence grieve. 
Living or dead. Thy soul my own must crave 
Forever, on earth and beyond the grave. 

But if thou wilt, dear love, I'll say — farewell ! 

This saddest word is but the funeral knell 

To all my joy. All life lies before thee, 

Yet in thy joy give one kind thought to me, 

Who once hast been thy fondest, dearest, best. 

Let deepest wishes from thy soul, for rest 

To this poor stricken heart, be breathed in prayer. 

Pray for sweet peace ; balm for this deep despair 

Burdening my life. Perchance wings of love 

May soft upon my soul alight, above 

This blighting, bitter woe, and yearning pain. 

Perchance — ah God ! — I'll have thy love again ! 

Oh Heaven! Away, fond hope-! Break not the spell 

That bids me say — Dear loxe, farewell ! Farewell ! 



HEART THROBS. 43 



ALONE. 



Alone ! Alone ! Through all the dreary days 

My sorrowing soul must yearn ! 
With pain doth my weary heart beat always, 

And the tear-drops scald and burn. 
The chilling wind loud and bleak doth blow, 

Swift the rustling leaves now fall ; 
No solace my weary spirit can know. 

And darkness hangs over all. 

Alone ! Alone ! Despair and darkest fears 

My suffering spirit claim ! 
With what dread I shrink from the coming years, 

Ah, no language e'er can frame. 
Each falling leaf is a dear, faded joy 

Now forever swept away ! 
But nothing my love can e'er destroy, 

Always 'twill live as today! 

Alone ! Alone ! Hear my desolate cry ! 

O come, love ! Come whisper low 
As in the old days, dear, when thou wert nigh, 

Ere chilling winds bleak did blow. 
Though fate, time and space must keep us apart. 

And thou my love wilt forget, 
Thy memory still shall dwell in my heart. 

Thy absence e'er to regret. 



44 HEART THROBS. 



HEART'S SORROW. 



Dark, dark are the clouds 

Which long in the past, 

Rose drear between thee and me ; 

Deep, deep the shadows 

Upon my soul cast, 

When I parted, belo\'ed, from thee. 

Sad, sad are the days 

Which nou' are my lot, 

Alone forever to dwell ! 

Sweet, sweet the memor)- 

Of days ne'er forgot. 

Ere happiness bade me farewell. 

True, true is the lo\-e 
Which burns in my heart. 
Ever so constant and deep ; 
Swift, swift the tear-drops 
Now from m}- eyes start. 
Alone, love, I sit here and weep. 

Deep, deep do I yearn 
For love's tender ki.ss. 
Which ne'er again I can feel; 
Fond, fond each caress 
Which sadly I miss, 
M}' longing I ne'er can reveal. 



HEART THROBS. 



45 



Close, close oft' we sat 
In love's sweet embrace, 
With rapture filling; m\- heart ; 
Gone, gone are the da}-s 
Which leave now no trace 
Of happiness swift to depart. 

Still, still must m\- love 

Forever liv^e on. 

Yearning thy spirit to greet ; 

Come, come O dear heart ! 

Say joy is not gone — 

Perchance once again we shall meet. 

Blest, blest such a da\- ! 

All pain then forgot, 

Once more love's rapture to know ! 

Haste, haste such an hour — 

Ah hope, leave me not ! 

Oh, peace to nn- heart now bestow. 




46 HEART THROBS. 



MEMORY. 



The silvery moon is softly stealing 

Through the clouds with beauteous light 
The Sabbath bells are gently pealing, 

Waking memories sad tonight. 
For the days of peaceful gladness 

Once I knew, are now no more, 
And I sit alone in sadness. 

Thinking of the days of yore. 

Love's hours of joy now all are vanished, 

Hope may nevermore return ; 
Sorrow's gloom can ne'er be banished, 

Never can I cease to mourn. 
Of silence lone I am so weary, 

All my soul is filled with pain ; 
The brightest days are sad and dreary, 

Never to be glad again. 

My saddened thoughts are not in keeping 

With the evening's beauty bright ; 
All my soul is filled with weeping. 

For 1 am alone tonight. 
All my spirit's cry of yearning 

Goes forth from my soul in vain : 
All my love so deep and burning. 

Ne'er can touch thy heart again. 



HEART THROBS. 47 



Thy life is full of peace and gladness, 

And thy Past is now forgot ; 
Yet my days are nought but sadness, 

Peace can never be my lot. 
The moon's soft beauty brings before me 

Memories of love's happy past; 
Floods of sorrow now sweep o'er me, 

I think of days too sweet to last. 

TIRED. 

I am tired of this pain and strife, 

I wearily long for rest ; 
I am sick of the burden of life. 

Which is wearisome at its best. 
I am tired of sorrow and care, 

I yearn for joys now no more ; 
I long for the voice sweet and low, 

As in happy days of yore. 

I am tired of these lonely days. 

With never a moment of cheer ; 
Sad is m\- heart now always, 

I long for thy presence dear. 
I am tired of yearning in vain, 

\\ ith no response to my call ; 
I cry out in my grief and pain. 

And hot, bitter tears now fall. 



HEART THROBS. 



I am tired of loving in vain, 

With no rest for my weary soul ; 
Sweet solace no longer I gain, 

Thy love no more I control. 
I am tired of breath and of life. 

Of sighs, of tears and of fret ; 
I long for rest from the strife. 

But my woe I cannot forget. 

I am tired of life and of breath, 

Darkness alone I can see ; 
I feivently pra)' for death 

The bonds of my spirit to free. 
I am tired of these doubts and fears, 

Oblivion deep I crave ; 
Oh for strength for the coming years, 

Or peace within the grave ! 




HEART THROBS. 



HOPELESS. 



49 



Shadows now again are falling 

O'er my soul in deepest glooni, 
Tho' the Spring-time now is with us, 

And the roses are in bloom. 
Earth is bright and full of beauty, 

But my heart is sad and drear, 
And the daily path of duty 

Knows no light or bloom or cheer. 
Hopeless are the hours so lonel)-, 

This heart's Spring-time now is o'er ; 
Life's sweet blossoms all have perished 

Withered now forever more. 

Oft' I feel that hope hath perished, 

Her power I ne'er shall feel again ; 
That all the joys my heart hath cherished 

Linger but in memoiy's pain. 
Each morrow is all dark and dreary, 

Not one hope the gloom to light ; 
Each day finds my heart more weaiy, 

As morning glides away to night. 



C:^^^^=^«^ 



50 HEART THROBS. 



LOST LOVE. 

Once dear to thy heart, love, 

Were words soft and low, 

Which I whispered so close to thine ear ; 

Yet since thou and I now 

Must e'er dwell apart, love, 

No longer my fondness is dear. 

My darling, I love thee ! 

Once sweet were these words 

As they fervently flowed from m\^ heart ; 

And still there is no one 

Can e'er rise above thee, 

Tho' from thee my fond heart must part. 

New ties now have bound thee, 

New duties are thine — 

Ah, no more for my presence to yearn ! 

New friends close and dear, 

New loved ones have found thee, 

And life's dreaiy lesson I learn. 

Alone here I sit, dear. 

And think of the past, 

And of happiness gone from my life ; 

Swift o'er my memor)' 

Sad visions now flit, dear. 

And my lone heart is worn with its strife. 



HEART THROBS. 51 



My darling, believe me, 

Tho' long years shall pass. 

And tho' never again uc ma\- meet, 

Oh I still must be true. 

I cannot deceive thee, 

I must yearn for th}' lo\e, dear and sweet. 

Then do not forget me ! 

Remember my love. 

My devotion so constant and true ; 

And when days of care come, 

If thou shalt regret me. 

Thy bidding m\- heart swift shall do. 




52 HEART THROBS. 



LONGING AND REGRET. 

I'm sitting- here in the darkness, dear, 

Weary and sick and sad ; 
And an impulse sudden moves me — 

The deepest I ever had — 
To fly to you at this moment, 

Despite time and circumstance. 
And seek your loving presence, 

Your tender, trustful glance. 

To hear you say "I love you, dear!" 

And close in love's embrace, 
To feel the old-time kisses 

Soft showered on my face. 
But the golden chance is vanished. 

And I sit in the gloom alone, 
Regret my spirit filling 

For the joy I might have known. 

Had I stretched forth my yearning arms, 

And softly breathed love's name, 
Straightway my heart had found response 

In love's rekindled flame. 
But my heart was long a stranger 

To love's tender, thrilling song, 
And I feared to leap the chasm 

That divided us so long-. 



HEART THROBS. 53 



And the mask which time and absence 

Long had bound around my heart, 
Could not, even at your presence, 

Melt away and swift depart. 
Now the meeting brief is over, 

And in darkness lone once more, 
I would recall that hour so fleeting, 

And your tenderness implore. 



HOPE. 

Yet now my heart thrills with a sudden delight 

All mingled with passionate pain ; 
Tho' one precious hour forever is lost, 

I'll meet you, beloved, again ! 
And all the cold barrier that rose up between 

My heart and its long vanished bliss. 
Shall all be forgotten, and joy reign again. 

When my heart greets your own with its kiss. 



£;:^^ib===^*«s@) 



54 



HEART THROBS. 



THE SPIRIT'S VOICE. 

All my soul is filled with yearning, 
All my heart with love is burning, 

And my spirit is with thee. 
Let thy image come to bless me. 
Let thy spirit's touch caress me. 

Waft some message, love, to me. 

I am w^eaiy, dear, of sighing, 

Of this wild heart's mournful ciying. 

Come, dear love, and give me rest 
Softly soothe away my weeping. 
Kiss me into quiet sleeping, 

There to dream upon thy breast. 




HEART THROBS. 55 



NO LOVE SO FOND. 

Tho' other lips now oft' caress thee, 

While I must long and yearn in vain, 

No love so deep as mine doth bless thee, , 
Yet all my love is fraught with pain ! 

Tho' kisses warm each day which greet thee. 
Fondly say he loves thee well, 

No tenderness like mine doth meet thee, 
The heart's devotion sweet to tell ! 

Tho' other arms full oft' do hold thee. 
Glad and warm in close embrace. 

No worship of the soul is told thee, 
While soft he gazes on thy face ! 

Tho' eager hands reach out to serve thee, 

Ever ready, willing, fond, 
The kindly heart may well deserve thee, 

But to thy soul can ne'er respond ! 

Tho' in thy heart he rise above me. 

Since now to thee no more I'm near. 

No other heart like mine can love thee, 
None so true — believe me, dear ! 

Tho' peace and comfort e'er may bless thee. 
And sorrow ne'er may touch thine heart, 

Love fond as mine soft to caress thee, 
Can of thy life be ne'er a part ! 

So love's assurance sweet I send thee — 
My love shall e'er be true and fond ; 

My heart's devotion shall attend thee. 

Till death shall break love's holy bond ! 



56 HEART THROBS. 



TO THE ABSENT ONE. 

Sometimes when alone, in silence, 

And your mind from care is free, 

Do you ever sit and ponder 

O'er days of the past and me? 

Sometimes, when beset with trials, 

With no voice to soothe or cheer. 

Do you ever feel a yearning 

For a presence once so dear? 

When alone with your thoughts and silence,^ 
From the yoke of the present free, 

Does never there come a longing 

For a glimpse of the past and me? 

Does ever your heart grow tender 
With memories fond and sweet? 

Does never appear a vision 

Close kneeling at your feet? 

Does never a vivid shadow 

Swift flit before your sight? 
Does ever a hand's fond pressure 

Pass soft o'er your brow at night? 

When alone in your silent chamber, 
With care or pain oppressed, 

Do thoughts of my love and longing 
Ne'er give you strength and rest? 

Sometimes, when sad and weary, 
Do you know a vain regret? 

Then, dear, do you remember 
This heart is faithful yet? 



HEART THROBS. 



I HAVE LOVED. 



57 



I have lived and loved. 
What tho' the joy was brief, 

What tho' the dream be done ! 
I knew more rapture in those years, 

Than in a hfe-time some have known. 

I have loved in vain. 
What tho' my heart be sad, 

What tho' my Hfe be drear ! 
The memoiy of love's sacred joys, 

Shall sanctify each bitter tear. 

I have loved indeed. 
What tho' the gift I prized. 

So soon was torn away ! 
I know full well I once was loved. 

However brief the happy day. 

I have loved and lost. 
Yet shall I keep enshrined — 

Where time can ne'er profane, 
The memor>^ of love's blissful dream. 

Thro' dreaiy years of grief and pain. 




58 



HEART THROBS. 



A SUNBEAM. 

A glad ray of sunshine comes in through my window. 

Shedding its brightness so sweetly o'er all, 
That all the dark shadows which o'er my soul hovered,. 

Ever my lone, burdened spirit to pall, 
Seem sudden to vanish, and all the dark places 

Where sorrow and gloom ever made their abode, 
Seem brightened and warmed, and bedecked with 
new graces. 

While all my sad spirit seems free of its load. 
O sweet gleam of sunshine ! Ah, could I but grasp thee \ 

Tell me, fair sunbeam ! O answ'er me, pray ! 
If I embrace thee and to my heart clasp thee, 

Then wilt thou suddenly vanish away, 
Leaving my soul still the more sad and darkened, 

Ever to grope on and yearn still in vain ? 
Tell me, fair sunbeam, 'if now I embrace thee, 

Wilt thou my sad heart e'er visit again? 




HEART THROBS. 59 



LIFE'S RIVER. 

Today as I stand on the banks of the river, 

Watching the swift flowing current run by, 
I wonder what treasure Hes under the water, 

Far from the grasp and hid from the eye. 
Life's surging river forever is flowing, 

Never reveahng her treasures so rare, 
Yet often I wonder if under her waters. 

For me there is waiting some treasure most fair. 

Some day while I'm waiting, O wonderful river, 

As I list to the sound of your murmuring tide. 
Perhaps some soft wavelet will sudden wash near me, 

And bear some fair casket of joy to my side. 
O come, blessed river ! Come bring me some treasure, 

Fair as your waters, as sparkling and pure ; 
Life's surging river forever is flowing. 

Then bring me some treasure which e'er shall 
endure. 




6o HEART THROBS. 



AN AMULET. 



What shall I wish for you now we are parting — 

Something to bless you through long years to come ; 
Some grace to ennoble, uplift and protect you, 

And strengthen your manhood wherever you roam. 
Let this be your motto through all your life's journey, 

Whatever temptations upon you prevail, 
BE WORTHY the trust of a heart pure and lofty. 

The trust of a heart evil dare not assail. 

Whene'er you would falter 'neath temptation's power, 

And long for a quaff from false pleasure's mad cup, 
Dear friend, I entreat, with the strength of your manhood, 

O dash it aside, and triumphant look up. 
Look up to the stars, worlds of beauty divinest, 

And think them the eyes of the souls that you love ; 
Be true to yourself; let the manhood within you 

Arise in its might all your strength then to prove. 

Each victoiy gained o'er temptations that rob you 

Of virtue, of honor, integrity, power. 
Will strengthen, uplift you, exalt and enrich you, 

And make you more worthy the just and the pure. 
All life lies before you, to make or to mar, friend, 

Say, will you choose now the far better way? 
Then give me your promise — I know you will keep it. 

And then we must each go our separate way. 



HEART THROBS. 6i 



Yes, we are parting — it may be forever : 

This is a word falling chill on the heart, 
And so may this blessing reach all through your future — 

The blessing I breathe you the hour we part. 
And think of me sometimes, a friend warm and tender, 

Earnest and faithful, sincere and true. 
And in the dim future, whate'er shall betide us, 

I'm sure friend of mine, I shall oft' think of )'ou. 



HOW WILL IT BE. 

Dear friend, I wonder how 'twill be 
When once again your face I see ! 
Fain would I look into your eye — 
The soul's own mirror — and descry' 
That )^ou my trust have not betrayed. 
Ah, now I tremble, lest your face 
Shall show to me some guilty trace 
Of weakness, error, folly, sin. 
Which from you then I fain would win, 
E'en tho' my heart should be dismayed. 



62 HEART THROBS. 



How can I bide that distant day, 

O friend of mine, so far away ! 

When this all too impatient heart 

Shall to your own its zeal impart, 

In friendship's joys, with smiles and tears \ 

The distance now so rife between, 

Is naught to you, my friend, I ween, 

Yet gladly may you fearless greet 

This heart of mine, when we shall meet, 

And calm these doubts and fears. 

Yet, ah, my faith is true and deep, 
And if a doubt has seemed to creep 
Into my heart, forgive, I pray ! 
Let your assurance truly say 
You have been worthy of the trust. 
What joy 'twill be to clasp your hand. 
And feel your truthful eyes command 
My earnest approbation deep, 
Which I would have you ever keep, 
By being true, and pure and just. 




HEART THROBS. 65 



TO A FRIEND. 



A rift in the clouds, and an instant a gleam 

Of sunshine fell soft on my heart ; 
An instant I met your soul's answering beam, 

And now we are destined to part. 
With life's sweeping tide ever surging around. 

What wonder if lost to our view, 
Be one human spirit, howe'er closely bound 

By ties of affection so true. 

The world is so bright, and its pleasures so sweet 

To lives in their joy and their prime ; 
And many a blossom more fragrant you'll meet, 

And tJiis be forgotten with time. 
Our friendship may gladden you yet for an hour. 

As even my own lonely heart 
Hath felt the soft rays of sweet friendship's power. 

Which from me so soon must depart. 

Tho' fain I would hold your kind spirit to mine, 

By strength of this heart's fervent life — 
That life of the soul which we cannot define, 

That fills all our being with strife — 
O well do I know that tho' sweet be the song 

Of friendship, to youth's eager ear, 
Forgotten shall be this sad music ere long. 

When strains glad and joyous you hear. 



64 



HEART THROBS. 



For O, 'tis not meet that your soul ere should flin^ 

Its pinions 'round life such as mine; 
Tho' fain to your friendship I gladly would cling, 

Such comfort I sadly resign. 
Too many the storms that have beat on my brow, 

And robbed me of cheer and of bloom, 
To let the affection that glows for you now. 

E'er cast on your spirit my gloom. 

And now we have parted, perhaps it is well, 

Tho' deep the regret that I feel ; 
If again we shall meet, the dim future will tell. 

The depth of our friendship reveal. 
You soon may forget me, tho' well do I know^ 

You have deep felt the touch of my soul ; 
My blessing shall follow your steps as you go, 

Tho' your future I cannot control. 



HEART THROBS. 65 



TRUE FRIENDSHIP. 

How off I long for friendship, earnest, deep, 

sincere, 
For some congenial spirit who e'er should hold 

me dear ; 
Some fond and true companion to cheer life's 

dreary way. 
Whose acts of thoughtful kindness should brighten 

eveiy day. 
To soothe and cheer me when I weep, my faults to 

gently chide, 
And truly be my friend always, whatever shall 

betide. 

I crave not love's deep passion my soul to gently 

woo, 
I only long for friendship, faithful, earnest, true : 
That all my heart's emotions, glad, or ill, or drear, 
Should meet with approbation, with smile, or frown, 

or tear ; 
Each thought by intuition divined ere half expressed. 
And all through hours of silence, its meaning to 

be guessed. 



66 HEART THROBS. 



Oh, for such sweet communion — Hfe's richest 

blessing given, 
I long with deepest yearning, as some hearts 

long for heaven. 
Among the lives around me, can none responsive 

call— 
"Such is this heart's longing ! Ah, let me give 

thee all ! 
Be my friend and I'll be yours: true friendship, 

let us prove. 
Brings joy and peace, and pleasure rare, and is 

akin to love." 








HEART THROBS. 67 



TO J. C. H. 

Tho' we are but strangers, with scarcely a care 

For the souls which around us are seen, 
Yet I can discern 'ncath the mask that you wear, 

Much that is hidden, I ween. 
No stain of dishonor has darkened your brow, 

And left on your visage its trace, 
Yet much of Hfe's sweetness is wanting, I trow — 

This I can read from your face. 

But none here are happy save only in part — 

Full bliss not of earth, but divine ; 
There dwelleth some fond wish in every heart, 

In yours as well as in mine. 
I pray the desire that now fills your heart — 

The desire that hope brightly doth gild, 
Shall some day be yours, nevermore to depart, 

Your dearest hopes all be fulfilled. 

Tho' no life is perfect, howe'er bright the skies, 

For darkness must sometimes be ours ; 
Life's pathway is rugged, and clouds must arise 

In spite of the beauteous flowers. 
But joys high and holy you ever may feel. 

And life's bright fulfillment be yours, 
If only you seek with unfaltering zeal, 

Some treasure in life that endures. 



68 HEART THROBS. 



Let ever your purpose be noble and strong, 

Manfully strive each duty to do ; 
Valiantly conquer each tempter to wrong, 

Be earnest and upright and true. 
Thus shall your manhood arise to a height 

Of honor and glory sublime. 
And life then shall yield you her fullest delight, 

And treasures that fade not with time. 



SYMPATHY. 

When dark clouds hang o'er us of doubt or of care, 

Of sorrow, despair, or of fear. 
How sweet is the light of a soft, kindly smile, 

And the solace of sympathy's tear. 
When Hope, like a bird, leaves its nest in the heart. 

And soars with swift wings far away, 
Alone then we sink in the depths of despair. 

Ne'er mindful of spring's happy day. 

Till some kindly voice whispers soft in our ear. 

In accents of sympathy sweet : 
" Let thy woe be my woe ! Friend, let me relieve thee — 

Thy burden come cast at my feet." 
Thus sympathy's voice so tender and low, 

Our hearts with strange magic has drawn, 
And when forth we have poured all our burden of woe 

And think to resume it — 'tis gone ! 



HEART THROBS. 69 



But when selfish hearts turn coldly a\va)% 

Annoyed by our tears and our sigh, 
Swift deepen the clouds of gloom and despair — 

Naught seems left us on earth but to die ! 
Ah, if bright days of gladness but fall to our lot, 

Let us pause in our pleasures a while, 
To see if some heart filled with sorrow and care 

Can be lightened by sympathy's smile. 

What tho' the burden seem light to our view. 
And trials o'er which we might smile, 

Bear down to the earth other hearts that we meet- 
Let us pause and pity a \\hile. 

Not what the thing is doth make up our woe. 
But the power of the heart to endure : 

One soul may be weak where another is strong — 
What kills one, some other will cure. 

The fact that a heart unhappiness knows, 

Be the cause whatever it may, 
Should call forth our sympathy deep and sincere, 

At once shedding light on the way. 
O sympathy dear ! Sweet offspring of Love, 

Forever abide in each heart ; 
Dear mother of Hope, come brighten each life. 

With thy touch bid all sorrow depart. 



70 HEART THROBS. 



WITHOUT SORROW. 

Where is the heart that doth not strive 
The dear beloved to deprive 
Of pain, of grief, of woe and care. 
And wish that hfe may be all fair, 
Devoid of shadows, clouds and rain. 
Yet sorrow purgeth in the main, 
And so, perchance, this may not be 
The sweetest of love's ministry — 
To shield the heart we love so well. 
From eveiy suffering, every ill ; 
For lives that daily drink the cup 
With sweetest nectar e'er filled up, 
Scarce ever grow so sweet and rare 
As those who shed the bitter tear : 
Who, oft' commingled with life's wine, 
Must sup the bitter cup of brine. 

How oft' we find the cloudless life 

That ne'er hath known earth's bitter strife. 

So dearth of love and sympatln-, 

Of kindness and of charit}-. 

But filled with cold and haughty pride, 

AVhich doth the lowly heart deride. 



HEART THROBS. 71 



Yet sweetest grace of heart and mind, 
Did we but know, off shall we find 
Doth hve within the stricken heart 
Which long hath felt life's pain and smart ; 
And noblest impulses control 
The sorrow-ladened, weaiy soul, 
Grown sweet by suffering and tears. 
Through length of dreary days and years. 
And so, perhaps, it were not best 
That life should be all perfect rest. 



WHAT IS THE USE. 

What is the use of caring 

Whether good or ill befall, 

Since rain and sun and shadow, 
Comes to each and all. 

What is the use regretting 
A sad error that is past, 

Unless we mend the future, 
And the evil from us cast. 



HEART THROBS. 



What is the use of doing 

E'en the slightest deed or great, 
Unless the mere achievement 

Shall reward us soon or late. 

What is the use of fretting 

When misfortunes on us fall ; 

Some dire distress or other 

Must sometime come to all. 

What is the use of grieving 

When our friends untrue shall pro\'e 
No tears or vain repinings 

Shall bring us back their love. 

What is the use of loving 

When such love can bring no gain ; 
When follows only sorrow, 

And grief, despair and pain. 

What is the use of wishing 

For life's clearer, brighter sky, 

When eveiy sad tomorrow 

Brings forth the bitter sigh. 

Yet what's the use of pining 

For the heart-felt bliss denied, 

When deepest sighs and yearnings 
Can never change the tide. 

What is the use of longing 

For some joy we can't obtain. 

Unless with earnest effort 

We are sure the prize to gain. 



HEART THROBS. 73 



O what's the use of missing 

Some enjoyment we may know, 

Unless we're sure to suffer, 

And the pleasure end in woe. 

But what's the use of pleasure 

Which we know must end in pain, 

When a moment's self denial 

Surely brings us future gain. 

O what's the use of living 

If our living be for naught : 

If no life on earth be gladdened 
By the battles wc have fought. 

Ah, what's the use of dying 

To escape earth's many woes, 

When perchance the mystic future 
Shall increase the bitter throes. 

So what's the use of being 

Aught save happy and content, 

Whate'er shall fall upon us. 
Be it glad or ill event. 

But what's the use advising ! 

We shall find sonic vain excuse, 
And keep on in our doings, 

Although it be no use ! 



74 HEART THROBS. 



THE SPIRIT'S YEARNING. 

Dost thou feel within thy breast 

A nameless, voiceless thrill 
That fills thy being with unrest, 

And baffles all thy will? 
Dost thou long with yearning deep. 

From all dull cares to flee, 
And wouldst thy spirit break its chains- 
Seek higher realms — be free? 
Dost thou long for fuller life, . 

In brighter fields to roam? 
Wouldst thou flee this worldly strife, 

And seek thy spirit's home — 
Some fair, radiant paradise, 

Where souls in bliss may dwell, 
Nor wear the mask of cold disguise, 

But let each spirit tell 
Its tale of love, of joy or care. 

And bask in sunlight's smile. 
O wouldst thou visit, didst thou dare, 

Such realm a little while? 




^§) 



HEART THROBS. 75 



COMMENDATION. 

We prize the sweet commending word 

For duty aptly done ; 
How welcome to the eager heart 

The praise we well ha\e won. 
How zealous eveiy effort 

In the future to excel, 
When some attempt a task to do 

Hath been pronounced done well. 
And yet how chaiy of our praise 

On others to bestow, 
Be the achievement e'er so great, 

And nobly done, we know. 
How loth are we to scatter 

O'er life's rough-hewn, rugged way, 
The praise so well desei"ved 

For our comrades of the day. 



76 HEART THROBS. 



We sigh for commendation of 

The labor we have wrought ; 
Not enough the satisfaction when 

The battle we have fought, 
If the souls for whom our efforts 

Are directed, fail to prize 
The eager soul's endeavor 

By the glance of kindly eyes. 
Yet we shrink from giving others 

What we long ourselves to meet : 
The spirit kind and generous, 

And charity so sweet. 
Let us bide the rule so golden — 

Unto others nobly show 
Approval of all merit, 

Which we fain ourselves would know. 







HEART THROBS. 77 



THE MELANCHOLY POET. 

The poet is not made, but born, 'tis said ; 

Yet oft' the veriest circumstance 

Will change the tenor of his life, 

And thus his mind, his thoughts, his soul. 

And songs which else might now be glad, 

Do pour forth in melancholy cadence. 

Tell me not the song of joy doth flow 

From lips which daily drink life's bitter cup of woe ! 

Hours of calm may come unto his soul, 

When o'er his spirit dreams of peace and 

joys departed 
Soft ma>' fall, and forth shall flow 
A melancholy music, sweet and low ; 
Yet tear-drops linger in its voice. 
And fall upon the heart with touch of pain. 
But from the soul which ne'er hath known 
The bitterness of life, thoughts bright 

as sunlight, 
Sweet as love, do spring, and to the 

weaiy hearted 
Bring their light and joy and restful calm. 
Then chide him not who ne'er can sing 
A joyful lay to cheer th}- hours ; 
Perchance some blight hath left its scar, 
Which time and after joy cannot efface ; 
And mournful must his music be, 
Till Heaven shall bring him peace. 



78 HEART THROBS. 



A FALLEN STAR. 

A star hath fallen from the sk)- — 

A lofty planet, wondrous, grand. 
Whose light I thought could never die. 

And all my worship didst command. 
Alas ! This orb so pure and bright 

That filled me with such rev' rent lo\'e, 
I find hath borroivcd all its light 

From worlds unfathomed, far above. 
My radiant star no more can shine 

From out the gloom of earth's dark night 
My star hath fallen from his shrine. 

And all his glory taken flight. 
A meteor where darkness dwells, 

That fills my soul with fear and dread, 
And sadly to my spirit tells. 

All light and beauty now have fled. 

My worship all hath been in vain — 

I can no more the myth revere : 
My heart is filled with grief and pain. 

Unbidden falls the bitter tear. 
Say not that other stars may shine 

With radiance that shall endure — 
As lofty as this star of mine, 

Yet lasting ever true and pure. 
Such splendor doth but form a mask 

The depths of darkness to conceal ; 
And never more my soul shall bask 

'Neath ravs delusive and unreal. 



HEART THROBS. 79 



LOST FAITH. 

Life is not the thing it was 

In the golden days of youth ; 
Gone is the faith of early years, 

The earnest trust and truth. 
The buds are shrivelled that I thought 

The sweetest fruit would bear : 
Where are the hopes of vanished years? 

Not one has blossomed fair! 

False are hearts I thought were true, 

Shallow, souls I thought were deep 
V^ain my love, my trust, mj' hopes. 

In bitterness I weep. 
Youth's golden years have glided b\-, 

Life's sweetness all has flown : 
Her deepest joys, love, faith and hope. 

Have left me here alone. 




So HEART THROBS. 



THE MYSTICAL STAR. 

The fair star which thou seest shining so bright, 

Enshrined 'neath a mystical veil, 
Is barred from thy vision's full gaze of delight, 

Which barrier thou dost bewail. 
Tho' fain would she draw the curtains aside, 

Her mysterious soul to reveal ; 
To this worshipful being her heart would confide, 

Her spirit no longer conceal. 

But come close as thou wilt to the light of her soul, 

The barrier forever must stand ; 
Tho' spirits are kindred, beyond all control 

Is the crift of her heart or thine hand. 
Thus distant the star must ever remain, 

Tho' her light thou often canst see. 
Oh, still glimmering brightly, and e'er to retain 

A soft recollection of thee. 



HEART THROBS. 



8i 



TO "ARTHUR". 

We met and signalled on life's waters, 

But the tide has swept us far apart ; 
And tho' we may never meet again, 

Thy memory lingers in my heart. 
My spirit's chords thou soft didst stir. 

The echoes still vibrate sweet and clear : 
Tho' the sound be faded from thy soul, 

The music still I fain would hear. 

' Tis said that thou art all unworthy 

My heart's deep regard and high esteem, 
But to my fond and partial spirit, 

Right noble ever thou shalt seem. 
Tho' fate's decree that we are parted, 

Nor thine the POWER thy hand to give, 
Oh, may the echo of my spirit. 

In thv memorv sometimes live. 




82 HEART THROBS. 



TRUE LOVE. 



Do you think you love another. 

Yet have doubts whlcli oft' dispro\e 

The devotion of your spirit 

To the one you fondly lov^e ? 

Ask your inner soul the question 
In the light of reason's ray : 

Does this love absorb your being- 
Through each dark and gladsome da}-? 

Is life's ev^ery care and duty 

Lightened by the loved one's smile, 

And in hours of mirth and pleasure, 

Think you of your love the while? 

Should external grace and beauty 

Which you now so fondly prize — 
Noble bearing, smile alluring, 

Glance of soft and lustrous e\-es — 
Sudden vanish from your idol, 

Leaving of these charms no trace, 
Would your heart still find its gladness 

In the spirit's deeper grace ? 
Would that soul be still sufficient 

All life's pathway then to cheer? 
Would the loved one's inner beauty 

Still be just as sweet and dear? 



HEART THROBS. S-, 



And, should fate be all unwilling 

Your two lives to sweetly blend. 
Would life's joys now so endearing. 

Have for you a speedy end ? 
Could some other smiling presence 

Fill the void so dark and deep ? 
Could some other love as tender, 

In your heart then softh' creej)? 
Is your love itself sufficient 

For the coming changeful years ? — 
Let your answer to these questions 

Deepen or allay your fears! 



WEDDED. 

At last the happy day draws near 
When heart to heart so fondly dear, 
United in love's hoi}' tie. 
Shall dwell fore\er now for aye. 
Love's sweet fulfillment comes at last, 
All partings, doubts and fears are past ; 
The joyous future softly glows 
With roseate hues ; love's sweet repose 
Long sought, in love-lit sunny bowers 
Comes to bless, with heart-sprung flowers 
Strewn all along the gladsome way, 
To make of darkest night the day. 
Long may the blissful dream be yours. 
Prolonged by love which e'er endures ; 
May all the jo}'s which now are dear, 
Live on throughout each changing year. 



84 HEART THROBS. 



LOVE'S CHRISTMAS GREETING. 

Little warbler! Will she love thee? 

Shall thy music charm her ear? 
Will she fondly call thee "Treasure" — 

Shalt thou soon become most dear? 

Pretty songster! Wilt thou cheer her? 

Shall thy voice my love e'er tell? 
Wilt thou do her ever}^ bidding — 

Shalt thou love thy mistress well? 

Lovely song-bird ! Wilt thou carol — 

Sweetly carol all the day? 
Wilt thou sing love's tender message ? 

Will she understand thee ? Say ! 

Sweet musician ! Love's wishes herald, 
Loud and clear on Christmas morn; 

Sing my heart's devotion ever, 
Sing of love divinely born ! 



@«^%:^«^>^: 




HEART THROBS. 85 



BIRDIE. 



Dearie, thou dost cheer me often with thy soni^ 

Since thou hast come my days to gladden, 

Dull hours seem not half so long. 

While to thy warble now I listen, 

Tender memories thou dost stir : 

I think of one who brought thee here. 

And loving thoughts now fly to her. 

Dost thou seek love's voice to echo ? 

Wouldst thou tell me she is near — 

Absent far, yet near in spirit — 

That my memory still is dear ? 

TO A STRANGER. 

You ask me to write you a poem. 

And set forth your sweet charms so fair. 
And fain I would pen you a picture 

With graces most subtle and rare. 
But first let me lift up the curtain 

That hides all your soul-life from me : 
First let me gaze on the spirit 

That lives 'neath the visage I see. 
Come let me learn of the treasures 

Which in your inner heart dwell ; 
Reveal all the depths of your nature. 

And then I your graces will tell. 



86 HEART THROBS. 



TO MY TYPEWRITER. 

Blessed " Comfort ! " How I love thee ! 

Words of mine can ne'er portray; 
Thy soft tip tap while I use thee, 

Cheers and soothes me all the day. 

My typewriter ! Dear companion ! 

Sharer of my secret thought ! 
Since thou hast become my treasure, 

Oh what pleasure thou hast brought. 

Tender words and loving message, 
On thy bosom I will pour ; 

None but thou and one beside thee, 
E'er can know thy secret store. 

Softly, now ! Take thou this message ; 

Tip tap ! Tip tap ! soft and low ; 
Heed thou every word I tell thee. 

Which unto my love shall go. 

Dear typcAxriter ! Boon companion ! 

Only "Comfort" Avhich I know; 
Thou wilt tip tap all my longings — 

Tip tap ! Tip tap ! soft and low. 



HEART THROBS. 87 



ADONIS. 



Noble friend, with ej'cs so earnest, 

As my footsteps you attend, 
Ever eager to obey me, 

Ready ever to defend. 
Oft' I wonder as you watch me 

With that trustful, earnest gaze, 
If no deeper thought and knowledge 

Lives beneath your knowing ways. 

Human friends not half so faithful, 

No devotion half so true ! 
As you daily do my bidding. 

What affection glows for you ! 
When at times I grow impatient. 

Feeling you should act more wise, 
What a meek, submissive spirit 

Shines forth from those lustrous eyes ! 

Ne'er resentful if I chide )'ou. 

When your knowledge fails to reach 
To a thorough comprehension 

Of the lessons I would teach. 
Ever patient, kind, and gentle, 

Noble dog, I love you so ! 
Come and nestle here beside me, 

For your love is true I know. 



HEART THROBS. 



A THERMOMETER. 

This poor little valentine, dear, I have wrought ; 
With many a loving emotion 'tis fraught; 
But in the device you may find not a thought 

I have known. 
Yet place it but near you, and when it is LOW, 
No doubt. you will find your condition is so, 
Thus the state of my heart you can readily know 

By your own. 



WEDDED. 

{On an Engravitig.) 

Behold these two ! That form 

Tells not of thy sweet grace ! 

This fair face is not my poor face. 

And yet the soul that speaks 

From out each visage, 

Is but the echo of mine own. 

Gaze on them off! And when alone. 

Whene'er thy thoughts shall turn 

To one who loves thee well, 

Oh, let each soul-lit countenance 

My heart's devotion tell. 



HEART THROBS. 89 



TO AN INFANT. 

Little cherub ! Blessed treasure ! 

Lightly on thy infant brow 
Rest the cares of life and duty, 

Nought of pain thou knowest now. 

Mother love doth gently guard thee, 
As thy young life onward tends ; 

Blessings richest, wishes fondest, 

One who loves thee ever, sends. 

May thy path be free from sorrow, 
Fortune on thee kindly smile ; 

May friends loving ever bless thee, 

May thy heart be free from guile. 

And when to womanhood's estate. 
Little blossom, thou hast grown. 

May as sweet and dear a treasure 
As thou art, to thee be known. 




®^^^^lMrVK^^ 



90 



HEART THROBS. 



AN APOLOGY. 

If evety little shining star 

That lights the firmament on high, 
Refused to add its trifling share 

Of glory to the midnight sky, 
And shrank away beneath some cloud, 

Ashamed of such a tiny light. 
The beauteous heav'n now justly proud, 

Could never be so fair and bright. 
Thus human hearts may lend their store 

Of sweeter thought some soul to cheer, 
Though we our weakness must deplore 

That we no brighter light can bear. 
So may the humble rays I lend. 

Which from this heart unbidden spring. 
Re lightly scorned by every friend. 

Though poor and vain the songs I sing. 




